Stay Tuned
Reviews, previews and much more on "The Real Housewives," "How I Met Your Mother," "NCIS" and many more of your favorite shows. This is the place to talk about all of the things that make us "Stay Tuned"…

Monday, January 08, 2007

"In Case of Emergency" Call a Good Writer


If the concept of “In Case of Emergency” sounds a lot like “The Class,” that’s because it is. Four former classmates reunite by chance and see how their lives have changed. The difference is that these characters had no real connection in high school, which gives them very little connection now.

And when you’re trying to build a show on character relationships, that’s not a good thing.

The first classmate we meet is Harry (Jonathan Silverman). He’s visiting a Korean “massage parlor.” But he recognizes his “masseuse” as Kelly (Kelly Hu), his class valedictorian. Before he can get an explanation, though, they’re forced to flee when her jealous cop boyfriend shows up. Because Kelly has no one else to call “in case of emergency,” she stays with Harry.

Meanwhile, Sherman (Greg Germann), a diet guru, comes home to find that his wife has left him and taken all their stuff. This drives him to steal a truck full of sweets. Because he has no one else to call “in case of emergency,” he calls Harry.

Jason (David Arquette), who is facing indictment due to illegal activities at his company, decides to take his own life. He chickens out, but accidentally shoots himself in the foot. At the hospital, he falls for his engaged doctor (Lori Loughlin). Because he has no one else to call “in case of emergency,” he calls Harry, as well.

They all end up at Harry’s house with Kelly, who remembers Sherman and Jason from high school, but not Harry. Of course, Kelly’s boyfriend shows up and they all end up back at the hospital.

And that was the show in its entirety.

Because it was so choppy, it was hard to get to know any of the characters; but it’s clear the heart of the show is David Arquette’s Jason. Few actors play goofy as sweetly as Arquette, so it’s hard not to fall for him. And Loughlin exudes a sexiness I’ve never seen from her before. The rest of the cast could be good as well, if they’re given something decent to do.

The show has an excellent pedigree (It’s executive produced by Jon Favreau, who directed the pilot.) so I’m willing to give it another shot. I just hope its “in case of emergency” person is a good writer…

“In Case of Emergency” airs Wednesdays at 9:30 p.m. on ABC…